CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Healthcare has its own plank in the Democratic party platform released here at the national convention -- and helps form a number of others.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Healthcare has its own plank in Democratic party platform released here at the national convention -- and helps form a number of others.

"We believe accessible, affordable, high quality healthcare is part of the American promise, that Americans should have the security that comes with good healthcare, and that no one should go broke because they get sick," the section on healthcare begins. "Over the determined opposition of Republicans, we enacted landmark reforms that are already helping millions of Americans, and more benefits will come soon."

The platform goes on to tout some of the benefits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that are already in place. "As a result of our efforts, today, young Americans entering the workforce can stay on their parents' plans. Insurers can no longer refuse to cover kids with preexisting medical conditions. Insurance companies will no longer be able to arbitrarily cap and cancel coverage, or charge women more simply because of their gender."

ACA benefits that have not yet taken effect also are mentioned. "Soon, working families will finally have the security of knowing they won't lose healthcare or be forced into bankruptcy if a family member gets sick or loses their job," the platform reads. "And soon, insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage based on preexisting conditions. Medicaid will cover more working families."

The opposition comes in for criticism throughout the document: "Mitt Romney and the Republican Party would repeal health reform. They are more concerned with playing politics than supporting families in this country ... We will continue to stand up to Republicans working to take away the benefits and protections that are already helping millions of Americans every day."

The healthcare plank also focuses on issues besides the ACA. "Democrats will continue to fight for a strong healthcare work force with an emphasis on primary care. We remain committed to eliminating disparities in health and will continue to make sure families have access to mental health and substance abuse services. We will strengthen Medicaid and oppose efforts to block-grant the program, slash its funding, and leave millions more without health insurance."

HIV receives special mention in the platform. "We Democrats have increased overall funding to combat HIV/AIDS to record levels and will continue our nation's fight against HIV/AIDS. President Obama established the first-ever comprehensive national HIV/AIDS Strategy for responding to the domestic epidemic, which calls for reducing HIV incidence, increasing access to care, optimizing health outcomes, and reducing HIV-related health disparities."

Medicare and Social Security get their own section in the platform document; the Medicare portion begins with a slap at the Republican plan to turn Medicare into a premium support program. "The Republican budget plan would end Medicare as we know it," the platform says. "Democrats adamantly oppose any efforts to privatize or voucherize Medicare; unlike our opponents we will not ask seniors to pay thousands of dollars more every year while they watch the value of their Medicare benefits evaporate."

The platform touts changes that the Obama administration has made to Medicare, including increased emphasis on fraud detection and closing the "doughnut hole" in prescription drug coverage. "Democrats believe that Social Security and Medicare must be kept strong for seniors, people with disabilities, and future generations," the section concludes. "Our opponents have shown a shocking willingness to gut these programs to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest, and we fundamentally reject that approach."

Healthcare is also part of the section on women's issues. That section notes that "the Affordable Care Act is ending health insurance discrimination against women, and provides women with free access to preventive care, including prenatal screenings, mammograms, cervical cancer screening, breastfeeding supports, and contraception."

Abortion rights also get an endorsement. "The President and the Democratic Party believe that women have a right to control their reproductive choices. Democrats support access to affordable family planning services, and President Obama and Democrats will continue to stand up to Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood health centers," which provide abortions, among other services.

Environmental health issues also are a part of the platform. "President Obama has taken the most significant strides in decades to cut pollution and advance public health -- protecting our children and communities from harmful pollution by restoring and advancing safeguards for clean air and water and by working to reduce carbon pollution," the document says. "Pollutants like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and mercury are a threat to human health, and Democrats will continue to stand up to polluters in the interest of environmental and public health."

Healthcare also is expected to be a topic of conversation during the convention speeches this week. Tuesday evening's speakers include First Lady Michelle Obama, who has made a personal campaign of getting children to exercise and eat healthy.

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